Sewage plant sparks smell concerns at garden

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — There are concerns at the Savannah Botanical Gardens that a planned sewage treatment plant will send unpleasant smells wafting over the roses.

Botanical garden chairwoman Betty Ward said about 70 percent of the funding required to maintain and operate the botanical gardens comes from weddings.

Ward tells The Savannah Morning News reports said any nasty odors could drive that business away, and “it could totally ruin the garden.”

City staffers have sought to reassure gardens officials that the plant -- planned for the area of the Bacon Park Golf Course -- is not expected to add to the smells from a lift station that already operates in the area. City Alderman Larry Stuber said golfers have complained about odors from the lift station in the past.